Who we are and why we are here:

'He' started out at 450 lbs. 'She' started out at 300 lbs (although had been as high as 330 lbs at one point). Between them they've lost weight, gained weight, and learned a lot along the way.

What you'll find here are our educated thoughts, opinions, and tips for a healthier lifestyle. 'He' minored in psychology, 'she' majored in history - two research heavy fields that have made them both skeptical and able to weed through the sludge in order to find gems. Neither of us is perfect by any means, but as much as possible, we will try not to lead you astray with unfounded, sensational, or fad information.

We are intentionally avoiding fad diets, expensive meal plans, and other extreme (expensive!) weight loss plans.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Paradox

Isn't there some sort of saying that if you lose weight you'll feel better? Isn't the theory something about improved health? Okay, maybe my overall health has improved, but instead we have become very aware of problems under the surface who didn't feel like making any sort of trouble until the pounds started going the way of my desire for candy bars.

First, weird menses led me to a doctor where I found out I have numerous fibroids and possibly other problems. This upsets me because there are days that the side effects (pain, bleeding) make it impossible for me to exercise. Those days suck especially on the occasions when they happen two days in a row.

Yes. Surprising even myself, I have become very attached to my exercise.

Second, I a pain in my back near my shoulder has gotten progressively worse until I started having stiff, hot pain in my neck and throbbing from the base of my neck to the base of my skull. Research made me theorize it could be a pinched nerve so I had to demand back rubs from hubby. I hate to impose that on him daily, but it has improved the pain so I think we're almost to the point where I can just stretch and work it out.

Summer plans for swimming and hiking are, at the very least, mostly ruined. I'm sad. It sucks to work so hard and then feel betrayed by my body. Of course, I didn't treat it spectacularly up to this point so maybe I had it coming.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Kid approved Stir Fry

Nearly out of calories for the day, but still hungry for a good dinner? Try this delicious stir fry!

1 pkg Hungry Girl tofu noodles (angel hair)
12 oz raw shrimp (shelled and de-veined)
1/4 cup Panda Express Orange Chicken Sauce
1 Tbs garlic powder (avoid garlic salt)
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs water
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 cup snow peas
1/2 cup mushrooms

Fry veggies in pan with balsamic vinegar and water. Stir in sauce and garlic powder. Drain and rinse tofu noodles for 2 minutes. Spread over veggies, then spread shrimp over the top. Continue to fry on low or simmer until shrimp just turns pink, mix together and serve. Makes 3 servings at 175 calories per serving.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Entertainment Value

Amidst all this weight loss, there is a self-loathing. I defend the rights of the obese. I defend a person's right to be happy no matter what their size or shape. I wasn't a miserable fatty and I don't think anyone should be. I do think if a person is unhappy about being fat, they should do something about it because everything is, ultimately, in our own hands. Half the time I think people aren't unhappy about being fat, but about other things or the way people treat them. People don't look fat people in the eye. That makes me a little mad.

That is why on a blog about our personal journey, I feel compelled to post the following video. (Warning: Penn's mouth is not within my control. Even I think he swears too much....)



(More - but only the first few minutes is related to diet. The rest is just, imo, interesting)



No, I don't buy into every word the present, but it really should get you questioning and thinking about what you eat and what other people say.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The truth about 'obesity'

I'm not saying that if you are obese, you don't need to lose weight. I'm not saying there isn't something to the numbers of overweight and obese people in the world. Unfortunately, I caught an episode of The Talk today (I don't typically watch these types of shows; partly because they are shallow, but mostly because they get me riled up) so what I am going to say is that I believe there is a certain amount of publicity out there that is working AGAINST us, not FOR us.

Let's start with the truth about the supposed increase in obesity. Twenty years ago obesity was measured on a scale of body mass percentage. Now with the misapplication of BMI (an index originally used as a scientific statistical tool which does not take into account bone structure, muscle, or other factors such as the amount of fat a woman is supposed to carry in comparison to men!) the new scale has increased the number of people who would qualify as overweight by up to 50% according to medical websites. This accounts for nearly the entire statistical increase of overweight, obese, and morbidly obese people.

Let's turn to the episode of The Talk I made the mistake of watching today. I don't mean to pick on anyone - the only reason I would turn to the show ever is that I have secretly paid attention to Holly Robinson since starring in 21 Jumpstreet (great show!), I always thought Leah Remini did great guest spots on comedies, Sara Gilbert played the best "depressed teen" for years - so much that I watched Roseanne even though I didn't really like the show, and Sharon Osborne's accent is just plain entertaining - but I'm going to name names in order to keep things straight.

They begin by showing the current cover of Men's Health magazine. On the cover is some congressman with his shirt open and his sexy abs looking nicely oiled. I was not offended by the nice body, of course, but the comments that followed brought to my attention the way that we use weight to justify shallow opinions! Candace Cameron Bure, guest hosting, started by saying something along the lines of "he's bringing awareness to obesity." No! He is flaunting a well toned body, but that is not linked to obesity. Working out until you have that kind of toned muscle; applying oils to make the appearance even more aesthetically pleasing, choosing the open shirt and that particular pose - these are all things that have nothing to do with health or bringing awareness to anything other than the fact that he has a nice body. No matter what you say, posing like a model simply does not relate to weight issues. It's shallow. I am not in better health because I buy nice shoes, am I? No, but they make my feet pretty and I want to show them off so I will wear them and claim it's about health and somehow it becomes a less arrogant quest.

Am I the only one who sometimes feels like people jump on the anti-obese bandwagon because they don't want to look at fat people? They are often not pretty to look at so if we focus instead on "health", then we can guilt fatties into losing weight so they are more pleasing to look in the eye. No one asks a thin person about their health. No one assumes a thin person has health problems even though there is a large percentage of the 'thin' population that is malnourished and there are many people who don't exercise or eat properly.

Holly Robinson Peete went on to say that the magazine cover is not an exploitation because she likes his abs, she likes abs, and she likes looking at a six pack. Right, but it is an exploitation because his abs are not and should not be the reason why we vote for him.

Julie Chen claimed that seeing him like that might encourage her to look at the issues. I think she gives way to much credit to the public. Again, people vote on aesthetic appearance whether they should or not and frankly, he's exploiting that with his appearance. He's clinched the deal for the next election, imo, by knowing which part of himself to sell. A sad reality in which we live...

In the next segment, the ladies took on an Atlanta ad campaign where a child stands before the camera and says she doesn't like going to school because the kids tease her for being bigger than they. Not that it makes a lot of difference, but the child they showed is not nearly as obese as some kids I've seen. They chose one who was pleasantly plump so that you wouldn't automatically turn away. The campaign then goes on to post statistics that are disputable; the percentage of kids who are now considered obese (see above for change in definition), the number of kids who are overweight in Atlanta (again based on the new definition by which, I might mention, George Clooney is overweight in comparison to his height), and the fact that kids will not live as long as their parents.

In a previous post, I mentioned that it's about the example we set. Of course we want to be good role models for our children, but we also need to let our children be children. Instead what we are doing with an ad like this is saying that it's okay for children to intimidate other children if they are fat because fat is unacceptable. We are also telling kids that if they are overweight, they should feel bad about themselves. Somehow we think this will jolt them into better eating habits, but the fact is, a child does not know how to deal with this pain. They do not think like adults. They don't have the same control over their lives that an adult does, therefore the only way to make themselves better is to escape into a world of television and video games (T.V. never teases a child) and food. It is my perception that this only increases the problem until they become adults with such a huge weight problem, the idea of turning it around is incredibly intimidating.

I talked about the booklet I received from school for my daughter, too. I feel like it also gave unrealistic expectations that would just cause a child to feel bad about himself or herself if she can't keep up. What's the incentive of a child who has little control over his or her life to improve things when the expectations are so high? I simply don't think that the information is being presented appropriately to encourage healthy choices in children. We brainwash them with adult thoughts and don't really account for balance.

As for obese children not outliving their parents, the statistics claim that obesity may only reduce lifespan by a few months. Others claim it could be up to ten. The problem here is that there is no solid information and all studies are disputable to the point that it may not shorten life spans at all! Additionally, evidence does show that many obese children have obese parents - therefore if there is a link, their parents likely have the same problem working against them.

After that had been covered, a comment was tossed out that obesity is linked to cancer, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. The links to cancer and strokes are tenuous at best and because the studies have been focused on weight, I think the attitude is dismissive. No where near the money is tossed at studies that try to make these links between anything other than weight so by blaming it all on weight, we may be missing other important and preventative factors. As for type 2 diabetes, it is linked much more strongly with a sedentary lifestyle than obesity. It looks like it is related to obesity because many large people are sedentary and have trouble processing sugars, but if that were the case, then only obese people would have type 2 diabetes. The truth is, there are many people with type 2 diabetes who are and always have been thin.

Next, Leah Remini spoke about her child and how "she wants the white pasta, she wants the carbs, she wants the bad stuff. CARBS ARE NOT BAD! Pasta is all right. It’s the serving size that is the problem. Read the labels. You can still give her the food she likes, just in portion control. Jane loves pasta and sauce, but we don't serve it with garlic bread or added meat anymore. By pre-measuring the pasta and sauce instead of having them both self serve, we find a normal serving size to be plenty filling. Save the garlic bread for another night so you don't overdo the carbs, but we need to stop thinking they are bad just by existing.

Leah then went on to say that she can't change her daughter because she has already introduced these foods. I get where she is coming from, but you don't know until you try. Jane likes a lot of the substituted foods we eat in this house - even some I was certain she wouldn't. When it comes to other things, we make compromises and keep trying things until she is happy as well. It's not easy, but it can be done if you care enough about your child's health to go through the process.

Right before the end of the segment, Holly then went on to say that it needs to be more convenient. Well, it is, but you have to get over the brainwashing we have going on. A happy meal with chicken nuggets, apples, and apple juice is quite healthy. Take some time to sit on the internet and look up other drive through menus. Salads are not automatically a good choice, but there are a few good ones out there. Seeing the Arby's version of the chicken salad sandwich is not the same as the Subway Apply Orchard (with the added mayo, nuts, etc, it is higher calorie). A burger at Wendy's might be lower calorie than a similar one at McDonald's. If you really care, take the time to look them up so you can still grab a bite in a hurry.

Of course, I have this whole idea that has nothing to do with weight loss, too. If you're getting fast food all the time and claiming that it's because of time, maybe it's time to slow down your life. We do not need to be running a race that doesn't allow time to enjoy a meal. In fact, if you enjoy your food, you tend not to need as much of it. Slow down! It is okay to skip signing your kid up for every sport and just encourage them to ride their bike around the block with you. It is okay to find time to relax at least a few days a week.

In the end, it's about excuses. As long as we keep making excuses, we are not ready to change our eating habits. A person either changes them or doesn't. Commit.


*Not a proper bibliography, but a bulk of my information comes from USA Today and The New York Times, both of which quoted doctors, scientists, and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Tonight's Dinner: Chicken Gnocchi (Dumpling) Soup

Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: about 150
Prep time: give yourself 2 hours

1 whole fryer chicken
3 cans chicken broth (low sodium - check for brand with lowest calories)
2 cubes chicken bullion
2 Tablespoons lemon pepper
2 Tablespoons garlic powder (avoid garlic salt!)
3/4 cup carrots
3/4 cup broccoli
3/4 cup celery
3/4 cup peas
(other 'free' veggies at 1/4 - 3/4 cup each such as onions or red pepper)
1 package gnocchi (found at target)

Boil whole chicken in large stew pot with chicken broth and equal parts water (or until it just covers chicken). Once completely cooked, remove from water and set aside. Add seasonings and vegetables, reserving peas until the end. Let stew while cutting up chicken. Take time to cut away as much fat as possible. Return chicken pieces to pot and bring to boil. Add gnocchi into soup and let cook about 15 minutes until gnocchi is done.

This makes a large amount so divide into 1 cup servings (you should get approximately 10) and freeze to make individual meals later.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Warm weather brings cold cravings...

With the weather finally warming up, the cravings for cold treats will likely increase.

1. Frozen Yogurt - A fabulous alternative to ice cream, frozen yogurt tastes much better than it did years ago. We've already tried a few spot, but it is still dangerous ground so tread carefully. We don't go more than once every two weeks and even that is probably a lot.

Frozen yogurt is difficult to find at the grocery store, but maybe it's for the best not to have it in the house. If it's expensive and you go out occasionally to purchase just one serving, it will be much easier to stick to the diet plan. The problem is, frozen yogurt joints are not as they used to be either. They are self serve and you pay by weight. My frustration is that the smallest cup is usually 16 ounce, but one serving size is 8 ounces so it's difficult to judge your calories.

TIP: 1 cup should look no bigger than a baseball.

Read the labels at each frozen yogurt machine. Some are sugar free, some non-fat/fat free. Non fat is your lowest calorie option, but still comes in around 160. I count mine as 200 even though a few can be a little more than that. (If I'm really trying to be good, I will count it as 250) Again, if it's a treat, you can go over and still lose weight over all. Toppings all need to be counted no matter what you choose. 2 Tbs chopped fruit will be your safest bet; around 40 calories. Syrups are well over 100 for a couple tablespoons and those chopped up candy bars or nuts are better avoided completely.

Farr's Fresh has a variety of yogurt, ice cream, and frozen custard in their location near Macey's in Sandy. The yogurt tasted delicious, but because of the variety, there were few options. The tastiest looking choices were in the 'naughty' area so I will probably avoid going there.

We've tried TCBY (Fashion Place Mall) and Planet Yogurt (Quarry Bend) as well as Frogurt in Fort Union. If pressed, we would choose TCBY because they have creamier frozen yogurt and offer many flavors in a nice twist. Planet Yogurt comes in second, I think, though they don't offer all of them in twist and some of the combinations seem a little weird.

2. Juice bars - cool off guilt free with Dreyer's fruit bars. Many of them are 50 calories per serving and they taste great.

3. Creamy - Snickers and Twix offer 100 calorie ice cream treats, but they are tiny and a little grainy. Skinny Cow has delicious ice cream bars - my preference being the white mint. Their other products are lower in calorie than similar items, but still more calories than I usually like to have so we have skipped things like their ice cream sandwiches.

4. Target has a nice rainbow sherbet. I believe it is about 120 calories per serving, but it tasted wonderful and could be a nice treat.

My suggestion? Skip the cone. It's only a few calories, but that's all the more calories you can enjoy in the actual frozen yogurt.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Creative Exercise

Well, I guess I got a little over-excited. I hoped some of the lower hiking areas would be open so we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Instead we found even the lowest ones were closed/snowed in. Moving back down the mountain, we stopped at a lovely picnic area and got our "creative exercise" by exploring, trekking up the hills and onto the rocks around the creek.

And so it begins...